Oak boring insect

[Sawyerfortyish]

Just went and looked at some timber I got a bid sheet for. Met the owner of the farm and he said he's decided to sell his oak trees before some kind of insect bores in the base of the tree and kills all of them. What in the heck is he talking about? I ain't never heard of such a bug in an oak tree around me. Is someone giving him a snow job to get him to sell his timber ?

[Jeff]

Probably been told about oak wilt which is spread by a beetle. Same scare tactics are being used around here and it aint right.

[Ron Scott]

See the Oak Wilt thread under Frestry Education, but check with your local Conservation District Forester in your area to be sure.

[Stephen_Wiley]

It is possible that this fella has had a tree destroyed by the carpenterworm Prionoxystus robinae. The galleries in wood eaten by this pest result in tunnels 150-225mm long and 15mm wide.

However, as Ron already stated check with your local Forester/entomologist as this pest's species preference is different depending upon region.